Rhode Island is rich in historic sites. Indeed, the state boasts more sites
per square mile on the National Register of Historic Places than any other state
in the country. And, a new property has been added, pushing Rhode Island’s
contribution to the list to nearly 19,000.

These are the residents of Rhode Island’s latest contribution to the National
Register of Historic Places: cattle that call Sunset Farm in Narragansett home.
The farm made the list for several reasons. For starters, it’s been in
continuous agricultural production for nearly four centuries. And it has a very
interesting building on the property – an East Indian style club house designed
for tobacco magnate Francis Kinney in the early 20th century. Sarah Zurier of
the state’s Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission said old newspaper
reports indicate golf was played on the property but they’ve never been able to
find evidence to support it.

"So he erects this remarkable bungalow building and that becomes his private
clubhouse. That’s where he invites people who’ve gone to polo matches nearby to
have a drink and dine and look over the fields, look towards the water," said
Zurier.

Sunset Farm is owned by the town of Narragansett. It’s operated as a working
farm, which sells fruits and vegetables from a roadside stand. The clubhouse is
rented out for parties.